"The flag stands for all that we hold dear -- freedom, democracy, government of the people, by the people, and for the people."
--Henry Cabot Lodge, 1915

No matter what political party one belongs to, or what one's particular view is concerning the events in Iraq and the Middle East, the fact remains that our American soldiers are there.

A good many of them are National Guard troops and reservists from the various states, who have been activated and are being deployed overseas to a war zone.

These are soldiers who are taking time out from their lives and families to serve -- the call has come and they are responding readily and whole-heartedly.

Let's all show our support for them and all our military personnel by flying our national flag every day.

Remember, our flag should always be treated with the utmost care and respect. The flag represents a living country and, as such, is considered a living thing.

Always display the flag with the blue union field up.

Always hold the flag carefully -- never let it touch anything beneath it.

Always keep the flag aloft and free -- never carry it flat or horizontally.

Always keep the flag clean and safe -- never let it become torn, soiled or damaged.

Did you know: the U.S. flag was adopted on June 14, 1777, and is the fourth oldest national flag in the world.

Join me in flying our national flag on the next flag holiday: Labor Day, September 6.

The Soldier author unknown

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to disrespect the flag.